Gaines

History

The Village of Gaines area did not see a settler until 1856. The first passenger train passed through the future village site on July 4, 1856, and a post office, Gaines Station, was established that same year. In 1859, the village was platted. The Grand Trunk Western Railroad depot, built in 1884. The Village of Gaines was incorporated in 1875. The Gaines Train Station saw its last passengers boarded and disembarked in 1957. In the 1970s, a business occupied the building. After setting vacant for years, the S.O.S. – Save Our Station group of Gaines residents organized in 1992 to restore the station. SOS later incorporated as the nonprofit Gaines Station Incorporated. After $100,000 in repairs in 1997, the station was turned over to the village. The station then began its use as the smallest branch of the Genesee District Library. On July 15, 2017, a Michigan Historical Marker was unveiled for the station. In August 2016, the village's lone police officer retired. By March 9, 2017, the village council formally dissolved the police department and Gaines Township purchased the police car.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land. It lies within Gaines Township at the border with Argentine Township.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Swartz Creek High School
  High · SWARTZ CREEK · 1,042 students · 22.7:1 ratio
• Linden High School
  High · LINDEN · 852 students · 21.3:1 ratio
• Swartz Creek Middle School
  Middle · SWARTZ CREEK · 801 students · 21.1:1 ratio
• Lake Fenton High School
  High · LINDEN · 695 students · 20.4:1 ratio
• Linden Middle School
  Middle · LINDEN · 583 students · 18.2:1 ratio
• Lake Fenton Middle School
  Middle · FENTON · 452 students · 16.7:1 ratio
• West Shore Elementary School
  Elementary · FENTON · 444 students · 17.8:1 ratio
• Morrish Elementary School
  Elementary · SWARTZ CREEK · 442 students · 20.1:1 ratio